Tuesday evening the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission conducted a special meeting to consider releasing a portion of the remaining funds on the River Gate South residential project.
Last month the commission denied the request to release a portion of the $129,499.97 the city owes to developer Scott Savin.
Since the last meeting city department heads evaluated the remaining items that need to be addressed on the punch list. Many of the items were on the same punch list created in July 2019.
Street Superintendent Jim Marquardt said the hand-hold junction box in the sidewalk near the Michigan Street Bridge was severely damaged by the heavy equipment driving over it. Estimated cost is $1,150. There are three light poles that were damaged during construction. Three new globes and ballast, bulbs and light deffusers were estimate at $2,131.08.
Redevelopment Commission member, Nancy Felde is a landscape architect. She said there are over 2,000 flower bulbs missing from the landscaping and along with 1,147 perennials and a few bushes that were damaged. Her cost estimate was $3,045.
Park Superintendent Mike Hite surveyed the area and found cast stone pieces lining the flower beds along the riverwalk missing. He estimated $4,800 to replace them. Three areas of concert were cracked and need repaired for $250 and 13 fence post cap balls will cost $325. There is also the potential replacement of two sections of fence and one post that were raised or bent on the riverwalk. He estimated the cost of $1,200 to replace them.
There is one major issue discovered after the July review. City Engineer Rick Gaul said areas of new sidewalk and the asphalt driveway and parking area do not meet the ADA requirements for slope. It was also noted the some of the storm water is draining out to the street instead of staying on the property. The cost estimate to correct this issue is $41,078.95.
That total estimate of work yet to be completed is $53,990.03.
Plymouth Clerk Treasurer Jeanine Xaver sent an email to Redevelopment Commission members and pointed out details of the final payment included in the contract. The contract spells out that final payment would come with completion of the project. She said in the email, “If the developer wasn’t motivated to fulfill his contract for $183,290, why on God’s green earth would anyone think he will do it if we are holding less than that?”
City Attorney Sean Surrisi said the contract is very clear. There is no obligation of the Redevelopment Commission to make any payment at this time. He said, if they wanted to make a partial payment that could be done.
Commission member Billy Ellinger said he’s heard a lot of excuses from the developer as to why the punch list items haven’t been addressed. He said, “I don’t see him pushing to get this thing (the complex) done. I believe we should hold payment until he (developer Scott Savin) gets it done.”
It was noted during the meeting that the contract called for the final payment on the project to be made in October 2018, the estimated completion date. At this point the project still isn’t complete due to items on the punch list not yet being addressed.
Commission member Melissa Christiansen asked what punch list items have been addressed since the July meeting and the only thing pointed out was the electrical box that controls the lights on the riverwalk.
The motion was made and unanimously passed to withhold payment and a request will be sent to produce a plan before the regular meeting of the Redevelopment Commission next week detailing how when the work will be completed.
